Cellulose substitute.



PATENT QFFTQE.

'osoAR MULLER, oF ooLoeNE, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM or RHEINISGHE KUNSTSEIDE-FABRIK, AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, or COLOGNE-ON-THE-RHINE, GER- MANY.

, cellulose substitute and particularly to a they-come from the shelling processes, and

process of obtaining the same from cotton seed shells and other cotton waste.

The waste products to which my invention relates comprise cotton seed shells with or without adhering fibers and linters as also to the fibers in the dust of the cotton mill. These waste products have heretofore either been thrown away or used as fuel, though of little calorific value.

, My investigations have revealed that these shells contain not only a valuable cellulose substitute commercially obtainable by a suitable chemical process but also a valuable dye. The-seed hairs and linters of the above mentioned waste have been discovered to be valuable not only for spinning purposes but forpractically all the other urposes as well, for which the staple fibers of cotton are generally'employed and indeed in specific instances are to be referred thereto. ---I have found that this ce ulose structure is not only suitable for nitrating purposes, but is extremely well adapted for the manufacture of paper, artistic threads, substitute for caoutchouc or the like, and in the roduction of cellulose derivations of all kin s. Its value for these purposes is enhanced by the remarkably pure condition in which it is obtained. A suitable process by which this may be accomplished is given herewith.

For example, if'necessa the shells are first passed through a suitab e machine to effect as far-as possible a mechanical separation of the linters and seed hairs from the shell. This is not essential however inasmuch as the chemical treatment which follows will of itself effect this separation, although the pre- After this treatment is completed the boiling Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 1, 1906. Serial No. 99,043.

CELLULOSE SUBSTITUTE. I

fluid is drawn off and the remaining mass washed with water. A ermanganate bath at about 20 C. follows, asting for about 30 for instance by blowing through a stream of air, oxygen or the like. If potassium permanganate be used for the. bath, a suitable ous solution. ing the mass is then subjected to a sulfurous acld bath containing in 1000 liters about 6 kilos of hydrochloric acid (of about 20 B) stance bisulfite of soda (of about 35 B). The action of this bath may be assisted by heating it to about 40C. and continued until a plastic the above chlorin bath may generally be omitted. In such cases furthermore, a Weaker alkali bath may be used, for exam le, of astrength of only cessfully.

alkali lye, including the coloring matter or dye above mentioned, in quite consp ipuous quantities, and also the resinous or waigllke binding substances of the shell. ,When this lye is neutralized these matters ar'eobt ained ,asa-deposit. A colored lac mayjbe secured from this, which can be used suitable$0lvents (such as ether, turpentme'fal'cohol, benzin, etc.) as lacquer or the like. These solutions are very valuable as a paint for glass or metal since the substance adheres very fast to glass and does not corrode metals.

After the above mentioned resins and d e stufi have been removed from the massun er treatment there remain not onl Patented Aug. 10, 1909. 0

During the alkali treatment a uantity of soluble matter in theshells is disso vedjn the y linters which may have adhered to s ell, and

minutes. This bath is preferably agitated,

strength is obtained by adding 1 kilo of potassium perman anate to 1000 liters of aque- Vithout an intervenin washand about 14 liters bisulfite solution for inf: 7o

translucent mass results. This transparent mass may be perfectly bleached by a subprocess contains large quantities of sta le cotton-fiber or linters-then-the undeslra le 5 1 or 2 Be. The sul urous acid bathof less strength, say half strength, may be used suethe the seed hairs but also' the pith cells and ,Woody fibers of the shell which form the cellulose structure proper.

While during the subsequent steps set out rocess all of these substances are customar y permitted to remain together in the baths it is possible to separate the cellulose structure from the fibers (i. e. the linters and seed hairs) during the latter art of the treatment, and obtain a practica ly pure cellulose if desired. This separation is readily accomplished by-sievesor by decant'in since the cellulose substance tends to sette as a deposit While the fibrous structure is suspended in the bath. 'It should be noted oweverfor manypurposes such as the production of artificial silk and for nitrating purposes, such a separation may not be deemed necessary.

. In connection with the above process it is to be understood that the hot alkali lye treatment does not and is not intended to aflect the mercerization or hydratization of the cellulose substance. Furthermore the process may be modified by subjecting the mass to treatment in alternating chlorin baths after the boiling in the alkali lye.

One of'these baths should contain about 3 to 4 per cent. efiective chlorin while the other should be much'weaker 'say from one-fifth to one-tenth this strength. Both baths are maintained at room temperature or slightly.

higher (say 40 0.). he baths may be made b dissolving chlorid of lime in water and ad in thereto acorresponding solution of an alka ine corbonate (of sodium carbon- 1 ate or bicarbonate) preferably supersaturated. In practice it is preferable to boil the carbonate solution and after cooling to add it to the cold chlorid of lime solution. A

while the dye matter is extracted from the shells in usuable form and the essential shell substance is obtained in cellulose form adapted for chemical treatment for commercial purposes as in the first mentioned method.

Other processes may be devised for accomplishing the same end and I do not limit 1nyself to the processes set forth.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cellulose substance comprising cotton seed shells from which the binding ma terials and cotton fibers have been elimi- 'nated.

'2. A cellulose substance comprising cotton seed shells from which the binding materials, dye substances and cotton fibers have been eliminated.

3. A cellulose substance comprising the shell substance of cotton seed from which the binding materials have been eliminated, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' OSCAR MULLER.

Witnesses BESSIE F. DUNLor, LOUIS VANDORN. 

